Mixing acoustic guitar and vocal

[Goldilox]

I'm pretty happy with the sound of the individual tracks but getting the mix right is proving something something of a chore...so bash away.

 

[guitaristdan103]

sounds awesome mate, acoustic guitar sounds really nice, both the vocals and guitar blend quite good, im no professional but..

 

[Goldilox]

Well I'm really glad you liked it Dan

Something about the overall sound just doesn't sound balanced to me. Although if I could put my finger on what it is I wouldn't need to ask advice!

 

[guitaristdan103]

have you mastered it yet? Mastering will allow you to change the overall sound of it, change the EQ, compression etc.. make it how you'd like it to sound.

 

[AMcB]

Not really my style. So take that into concideration.

But I think the vocals sound like they are just in a different space than the guitar. They sound kinda squshed and maybe too much reverb? How were they recorded? Maybe try backing off the mic more. Mabye 6-12in away. Also they seem too loud.

Guitar sounds good though. Kinda thin, but good. Again not my style. So I don't really know. But hope this helped.

 

[Goldilox]

Attempt #2

With what you guys said in mind, I've taken all the reverb and compression off the individual tracks and put it on the master bus instead, I've also made a small cut to the high end on the master EQ to tame the steel guitar and warm the sound a little.

I also had a little play about with the pan control on the intro, but that's by the by really.

Let me know if you think this is better or worse.

 

[TripleM]

I listened to both versions. Hard to say which guitar tone I liked better. Mix #2 was less harsh, but less detailed. What were you doing with the panning of it in the second version? It was bouncing all around the stereo spread. Second listen - I like the tone better on mix #2.

Little vocal artifact at 1:03 on the word "gonna." Little pitch problem around 1:47 on the line "...drink no muddy water..." Other spots too.

You could probably get away boost on the vocal around 5K. Might give them a little more clarity.

Guitar seems to lean slightly to the left. A stereo recording of it might have been nice.

I liked the song. I liked the tone on your voice.

 

[Goldilox]

What were you doing with the panning of it in the second version? It was bouncing all around the stereo spread.

It starts left for 1 bar then pans right for 1 bar, then left then right then centres for the rest of the song. Just thought it might liven up the intro really - trying an idea.

Guitar seems to lean slightly to the left. A stereo recording of it might have been nice.

As it happens the guitar was recorded stereo - left is a mic at the f holes right at the bridge. The master frequency cut on version 2 would probably explain the apparent imbalance (given the top end is more prominent at the bridge).

I liked the song. I liked the tone on your voice.

thank you

And indeed, thank you to everyone who has listened and offered up advice so far. I do appreciate the fact you've given up your time to help me.